Sport 27-09-2002 Tiger Snubs Fans As Showdown Begins who: Tiger Woods what: Disappoints fans by sneaking out for early practice where: The Belfry, WISHAW when: Yesterday snippet: "Tiger Woods, the long-established world No 1, was yet again ahead of the game yesterday," suggests today`s Times. "Indeed, he was so far ahead of the field - 2 hours to be precise - that if you paid your money to watch practice at The Belfry, you will almost certainly have missed him." Tiger`s 6.40am practice tee-off at the tenth meant that by the time the Belfry gates opened at 7am he was nearly back at the clubhouse. "I`ve paid good money to watch you play. Why are you out so early?" shouted one punter as Tiger came to the end of his nine-hole practice. This morning Woods starts the Americans` Ryder Cup campaign alongside Paul Azinger in the fourballs, teeing off against Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn - both of whom, notes The Independent, have beaten Woods in the past. European captain Sam Torrance is confident Clarke and Bjorn will upset their more prestigious opponents: "They`re a birdie machine," he purred. "They`ve been fantastic all week." Jesper Parnevik is also feeling bullish about Europe`s chances, warning the USA (via The Sun): "We`ll whip the s*** out of you! It`s as simple as that. We are good pals normally - but not now." [... more]

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